Reminder for the week: Deer hunting seasons ending

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 14-20 made 1,242 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 43 citations. Officers responded to 35 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• On Jan. 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Angelo J. Rispoli Jr., 23, of New Castle, for one count each of conspiracy third degree, hunting on a state game refuge, and two counts of possess or transport an antlered deer unlawfully killed near Wilmington. Rispoli was video arraigned at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on unsecured bond pending a future court appearance.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing to hunt (1), provide hunting guide service without having required guide license (6), unlicensed hunting (3), unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl except from designated blind sites (2), possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl (2), prohibited hunting device – waterfowl bait (3), federal rules adopted – no federal waterfowl stamp (1), possess or transport an antlered deer unlawfully killed (3), possess or transport an antlerless deer unlawfully killed (1), kill an antlered deer without purchasing a hunter choice tag (1), failure to attach antlered deer tag (1), failure to attach antlerless deer tag (1), failure to check antlered deer within 24 hours (1), failure to check antlerless deer within 24 hours (1), hunt antlerless deer in archery season with a weapon other than a bow & arrow (1), purchase or sell deer parts (1), use of unlawfully loaded rifle when in pursuit, taking or hunting of protected wildlife (1), hunting on a state game refuge (1), and set use metal traps without metallic plate or tag and license of owner (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1).

Public Safety: Failure to display required hunter orange during a deer firearms season (2), unlawfully loaded firearm in/on a motor vehicle (1), and possess, purchase, own or control of a firearm by a person prohibited (1).

Other: Damage state property (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4)*, and conspiracy third degree (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind hunters of the end of deer hunting seasons:

• Shotgun season ends Sunday, Jan. 27
• Archery and Crossbow seasons end Thursday, Jan. 31
• Muzzleloader season ends Sunday, Feb. 3 (archery equipment and crossbows can be used during muzzleloader season)

Although deer hunting seasons are ending, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police still encourage the public who witness or has information about a game law violation to report the violator as soon as possible so we can immediately investigate. Some illegal activities that should be reported include:

• The use of an artificial light to illuminate wildlife, also known as spotlighting, in any manner, including from a motor vehicle, for the purpose of hunting or observing
• Target shooting on state wildlife areas (target shooting on private property is allowed seven days a week, within the parameters of local, county, and state ordinances)
• Shots fired from or across a public road or right-of-way, or within 15 yards of a public roadway (carrying a loaded weapon in a vehicle or vessel in association with hunting also is illegal)

For more information on the 2018/2019 hunting seasons – including hunter education, licensing, hunting and trapping seasons, limits, regulations, wildlife area information, and more, with sections devoted to deer, small game, turkey, and migratory birds – click on 2018-2019 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide. Newly updated wildlife area maps with area-specific regulations are available online at Wildlife Area Maps.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

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